For over a few years, I have had a beef with Brad Pitt. Why? Besides that he thinks he sexier than me (please). Some of you know I am an architect and I paid my dues to become one. However, Mr. Pitt decided he liked architecture and so hooked up with Frank Gehry and worked on some cool projects. No schooling, no all-nighters, no professors making you feel like crawling in a fetal position after tearing your presentation to shreds and Brad Pitt works on amazing projects with no formal training because he is a famous actor. So you see why I am a little miffed.

Well it seems that Mr. Pitt wants to make amends with me. He is now taking the lead on rebuilding the 9th ward in New Orleans. The most affected by Hurricane Katrina. While most of the country thinks that most of New Orleans is recovering, this section has been all but forgotten.

Brad Pitt is heading up this organization called Make It Right Nola. It is organization that will help build sustainable homes for families of the 9th Ward.

Inspired by the courage and hope of the residents he met, Pitt resolved to do whatever he could to help them rebuild. Just as importantly, he wanted to help recreate and nurture the unique culture and spirit of the Lower 9th Ward, which symbolizes the soul of New Orleans. He understood instinctively that a New Orleans rebuilt without the Lower 9th Ward would never be whole.

He began by working with Global Green to sponsor an architecture competition aimed at generating ideas about how to rebuild sustainably. Pitt worked with local community leaders as well as experts from around the world to develop viable ideas for the Lower 9th Ward. That successful project inspired Pitt’s new focus: Make It Right.

The Mission of Make It Right is clear: It is to be a catalyst for redevelopment of the Lower 9th Ward, by building a neighborhood comprised of safe and healthy homes that are inspired by Cradle to Cradle thinking, with an emphasis on a high quality of design, while preserving the spirit of the community’s culture. The goal is to accomplish this quickly, so that the first residents can begin returning to their homes as soon as possible.

There are some amazing designs that are all sustainable. There are various architects from all over the world that are working on this project including two of my favorites: Adjaye Architects out of London and Morphosis out of California plus five New Orleans based architects. Check out these designs from some of the architects.

Design from Adjaye Architects

Design from Morphosis

Mr. Pitt is asking for donations to help build these homes. You can even sponsor a home. This is a great program, and for that, I end my beef with Brad Pitt….for now.

I find Black Friday, the Friday after Thanksgiving pretty surreal with all the advertising. It is a definite attack on my senses. It almost has become a holiday on its own. In my opinion, I think it has corrupted what Thanksgiving and the rest of the holidays truly mean. Don’t get me wrong, I love buying some new fangle device, or some music. However, this can get a little extreme. Take a look at this video from last year and previous years where people get trampled in a store to grab some toys that are on sale.Adbusters put together a campaign called Buy Nothing Day which happens today. The Premise is simple; don’t buy anything today. They have Public Service Announcement for their campaign which MTV won’t air because it is a little to extreme for their airwaves.

MTV, the channel that markets itself to hip youth, has decreed that our Buy Nothing Day public service spot “goes further than we are willing to accept on our channels”. Gangsta rap and sexualized, semi-naked school girls are okay, but apparently not a burping pig talking about consumption. If you object to this sort of corporate censorship, why not send them a message now?